NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
14 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 5, 2024
EnginePower Train
My engine RPM would randomly lock to 4000 rpms while driving, i could rev the car or apply the brakes but it will sit their until it decides to respond. This has happened a few times and mostly down hill and flats. Difficult to replicate. Cooling system has been a plague at around 80k miles i've had to replace a clamp at the ba…
Read full complaint
My engine RPM would randomly lock to 4000 rpms while driving, i could rev the car or apply the brakes but it will sit their until it decides to respond. This has happened a few times and mostly down hill and flats. Difficult to replicate. Cooling system has been a plague at around 80k miles i've had to replace a clamp at the back near the water outlet flange which i was quoted $2000 for just the labor alone as the engine would need to be removed.And the water pump failed at around 82000 miles. Also plagued with P06DE "Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Stuck On" error code a few times now.
NHTSA ODI #11575648
67,500 miles · Jun 19, 2020
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWED A 2014 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND HE WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWED A 2014 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND HE WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SAFELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOTAL LOT AS IT WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,500.
NHTSA ODI #11329729
54,189 miles · Apr 18, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
54,189 MILES ON CAR CURRENTLY. SINCE JUNE OF 2019 MY CAR/ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT A RED LIGHT, OR A COMING TO A STOP SIGN (BASICALLY COMPLETELY STOPPED OR COMING TO A STOP). ITS EVEN SHUT OFF WHILE IN REVERSE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE GEAR IS STILL IN DRIVE. SO I THEN HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK,PRESS THE BRAKE AND STAR…
Read full complaint
54,189 MILES ON CAR CURRENTLY. SINCE JUNE OF 2019 MY CAR/ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT A RED LIGHT, OR A COMING TO A STOP SIGN (BASICALLY COMPLETELY STOPPED OR COMING TO A STOP). ITS EVEN SHUT OFF WHILE IN REVERSE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE GEAR IS STILL IN DRIVE. SO I THEN HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK,PRESS THE BRAKE AND START IT AGAIN. IT SPUTTERS TO START AGAIN, BUT IT STARTS. ITS GETTING MORE FREQUENT, WITH IT STOPPING UP TO 3 TIMES AT ONE STOP LIGHT, AND THEN HAVING TO RESTART IT AGAIN. THERE ARE NO CODES ON THE DASH. IVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO CREST CADILLAC MULTIPLE TIMES TO TRY AND DIAGNOSE THIS ISSUE. THEY CANNOT FIND THE ROOT CAUSE, AND IT STILL HAPPENING MOST RECENTLY TODAY! THERE IS A NEW BATTERY, ALTERNATOR TESTING IN GOOD CONDITION. THEY HAVE TESTED THE BATTERY CABLES/LINES. THIS IS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING. MY CAR HAS STOPPED ON ME WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND TURN INTO A LANE AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BC MY ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I ALSO CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS THEY CANT HELP. IVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WITH NO ANSWERS. I NEED HELP PLEASE
NHTSA ODI #11321517
70,000 miles · Feb 14, 2019
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF SMOKE WAS PRESENT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MIAMI (2060 BISCAYNE BLVD, MIAMI, FL …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF SMOKE WAS PRESENT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MIAMI (2060 BISCAYNE BLVD, MIAMI, FL 33137, (305) 720-2629) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FACTORY WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES PER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11180052
50,000 miles · Jun 18, 2018
EnginePower Train
AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR LOST POWER ON THE OFF RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR CONDITIONING SHUT OFF, AND I THEN NOTICED NOTHING ON THE CAR WAS WORKING, BRAKES, STEERING, ENGINE!! THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THIS PAST FRIDAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT RUSH HOUR AND M…
Read full complaint
AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR LOST POWER ON THE OFF RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR CONDITIONING SHUT OFF, AND I THEN NOTICED NOTHING ON THE CAR WAS WORKING, BRAKES, STEERING, ENGINE!! THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THIS PAST FRIDAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT RUSH HOUR AND MY WIFE ALMOST GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAVE A CAR I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. I HAVE FOUND SOME OTHER POSTS OF THIS ISSUE, BUT NO RESOLUTION. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SAFETY AND IF THEY CANNOT FIX, THE CAR SHOULD BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11102284
23,450 miles · Sep 19, 2016
EnginePower Train
0N MORE THAN FIVE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I'VE HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO GET THE RPM'S BACK TO NORMAL.THE LAST 2 TIMES MY WIFE HAS BEEN WITH ME IN THE CAR ,SHE NOW REFUSES TO RIDE IN THE CAR. I'VE HAD THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THREE TIME SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PROBLEM. THE…
Read full complaint
0N MORE THAN FIVE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I'VE HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO GET THE RPM'S BACK TO NORMAL.THE LAST 2 TIMES MY WIFE HAS BEEN WITH ME IN THE CAR ,SHE NOW REFUSES TO RIDE IN THE CAR. I'VE HAD THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THREE TIME SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL RUN FINE FOR A SHORT TIME THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SAME OLD PROBLEM OF ACCELERATING WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE THE LEASE TERMINATED A.S.A.P.
NHTSA ODI #10907610
6,350 miles · Aug 21, 2016
EngineSteeringSuspension
UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS STEERING KNUCKLE DEFECTIVE FROM FACTORY AND BLOWN PISTON NUMBER 1 AT 6350 MILES AND MANY RECALLS.
NHTSA ODI #10897443
13,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Engine
2.0T ENGINE HAS HAD PISTON FAILURE AT ~7,000 MILE AND AGAIN AT ~13,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE KNOWN ISSUE AT: HTTP://WWW.CADILLACFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/CADILLAC-ATS-PERFORMANCE-FORUM/613529-2-0T-BAD-PISTONS-ROLL-CALL.HTML.
NHTSA ODI #10849582
6,500 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Engine
THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, WITH OUT ANY ALERT. IT HAS STALLED ON THREE DIFFERENT DATES SINCE I LEASED THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10701615
16,228 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
I TURNED A CORNER, DROVE THROUGH SOME SAND ON THE ROAD AND BROKE TRACTION. AFTER THAT, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND WITHIN SEVERAL SECONDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD ONSTAR SERVICE RUN REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY FOUND ABS FAILING AND A CYLINDER MISFIRE. THE CAR TOOK AN IMMEDIATE LOSS IN POWER AND ST…
Read full complaint
I TURNED A CORNER, DROVE THROUGH SOME SAND ON THE ROAD AND BROKE TRACTION. AFTER THAT, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND WITHIN SEVERAL SECONDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD ONSTAR SERVICE RUN REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY FOUND ABS FAILING AND A CYLINDER MISFIRE. THE CAR TOOK AN IMMEDIATE LOSS IN POWER AND STARTED TO SHAKE AT ALL POWER LEVELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691027
Official recalls
4Sep 3, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS sedan vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to September 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the coil antenna module that powers the rear defogger system may generate excessive heat due to excessive cycling or continuous operation.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control module to remove the automatic rear defogger "on" function, free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15299.
Jul 24, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to June 25, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience the roof panel closing automatically when the non-recessed switches are pressed and the roof panel is open. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.
Jul 23, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
Jun 19, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗